The Absolute Corse team experienced a dramatic inaugural outing at the Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup, fielding a pair of Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 with Lamborghini Factory Drivers Edoardo Mortara and Luca Engstler.
The team's weekend was challenged from the outset, with a clear power deficit identified during Thursday's free practice sessions. This led to a subsequent correction of the Balance of Performance (BoP) for the remainder of the event.
The team's fortunes appeared to turn on Friday when local hero Edoardo Mortara delivered a stunning lap in the No. 63 Lamborghini, initially qualifying an impressive third. Mortara himself described it as the best lap he had ever achieved around the daunting Guia Circuit. However, this high was short-lived, as the car was later found to have exceeded the maximum permissible power output. Consequently, Mortara’s time was disqualified, relegating him to tenth and last on the grid for Saturday’s Qualification Race.
On the other side of the garage, Luca Engstler qualified ninth in the sister car and was promoted to eighth on the grid following his teammate's penalty.
Qualification Race: Defensive Mastery and Misfortune
Saturday's highly competitive 12-lap Qualification Race showcased both sides of Guia Circuit's character. Luca Engstler put in a resilient drive, initially latching onto the front group and cleverly using the slipstream to climb to seventh. The race then evolved into a demonstration of brilliant defensive driving, as Engstler consistently and intelligently managed pressure from a fierce rival behind to secure a well-earned finish.
For Edoardo Mortara, starting from the rear of the grid, the race was a story of what might have been. The Swiss-Italian driver made rapid progress in the opening laps, but was unfortunately squeezed off the track in a multi-car battle at the infamous Lisboa corner. He rejoined to finish 15th.
Main Race: Not According to Plan
Sunday's 16-lap Main Race brought premature conclusions to both teams' campaigns. Luca Engstler made a spectacular start but became an innocent victim in a multi-car incident at Lisboa on the opening lap, with no chance to avoid a stranded car after it was tagged by another competitor.
Further back, a determined Edoardo Mortara had charged from the back of the field into the top ten. His impressive recovery drive, however, ended abruptly on Lap 11. An apparent technical failure that shut the car’s power off completely pitched the No. 63 Lamborghini into the wall at T19, retiring the car from the race.
Ingo Matter (Team Principal - Absolute Corse) said: "This was a weekend that truly tested us. The team worked tirelessly this weekend. While we didn't reach the results we wanted to achieve, I must pay tribute to the unwavering commitment and dedication of every single member of the team. We close our first season with Lamborghini at one of the toughest circuits in the world, and the team did it proud. This experience is a crucial part of our growth."
